Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

The light of dawn, like diluted ink, struggled to pierce the leaden clouds and fall upon the silent camp. The air was filled with the chill of dawn, and the lingering, faint scent of blood and smoke. The campfire had died down, leaving only a few wisps of smoke rising before being dispersed by the breeze.

Chen Xing barely slept a wink all night. In the latter half of the night, he relieved some of the Wei soldiers on guard duty and took over the watch himself. On one hand, this was to allow these loyal warriors to get more rest; on the other hand, he also needed the quiet night to sort out his chaotic thoughts, process the enormous impact of this unfamiliar world, and further familiarize himself with the mysterious system interface in his mind.

The changes brought about by the "Ancient Martial Arts Body (Beginner)" were real. Even after a sleepless night, he only felt a little mentally tired, and his body was still full of energy. He tried to mobilize the heat flow hidden in his limbs and found that it could slightly enhance his explosive power or perception at a certain moment. This was undoubtedly an ability with great potential.

He also carefully examined the so-called "shop" for the 100 system points. The interface was pitifully rudimentary, with most areas marked with gray question marks indicating "insufficient permissions" or "unlocked." Only a few icons were lit up, including the "Basic Reconnaissance and Counter-Reconnaissance" skills he had already learned, as well as a handful of knowledge-based skills such as "Basic Wilderness Survival" (15 points), "Basic Queue Training Method" (20 points), and "Simple Trap Making" (10 points). The only physical item was an icon labeled "High-Quality Millet (100 servings)," which required 30 points, and a wound medicine called "Golden Wound Medicine (Small)," described as slightly better than the hemostatic powder provided by the Wei soldiers, costing 5 points per serving.

These things were useful, but they couldn't solve his most pressing problem—a stable base. He closed the shop interface and turned his gaze south again. All hope seemed to rest on Chen Wei's reconnaissance results.

As dawn broke and the camp began to awaken, a very faint but rhythmic whistle came from the direction of the hidden sentries on the perimeter of the camp—a signal that it was safe.

A moment later, several figures, their clothes damp with dew and covered in bits of grass and mud, emerged like ghosts from behind the withered bushes and boulders, rapidly and silently approaching the heart of the camp. Leading them was none other than Chen Wei, the commander of the personal guards.

"My lord!" Chen Wei strode up to Chen Xing and clasped his hands in greeting. He and the four scouts he had brought with them all looked exhausted from a night's journey, but their eyes were still sharp as eagles, and their spirits were high.

"You've worked hard." Chen Xing looked at them, a sense of relief in his heart. "How is the situation?"

"Reporting back to my lord, I have successfully completed my mission!" Chen Wei's voice carried a hint of composure after accomplishing his task. "The location of the abandoned warehouse has been confirmed. It is located approximately 85 li south of here, nestled in a mountain valley on the eastern slope of Black Wind Ridge. It is indeed adjacent to a stream with abundant water."

As he spoke, he naturally took the branch Chen Xing handed him and began to accurately add to and mark the simple ground map that Chen Xing had drawn the night before.

"The warehouse was larger than expected. There was a ten-foot-high earthen and timber wall around the perimeter, which was mostly damaged, but the main structure was still intact. The east and west sides were steep and difficult to climb, relying on the mountain slope. The main passages were to the north and south. The south side was the main gate, which was relatively wide. There was a moat about one zhang wide and half a zhang deep, about thirty paces outside the gate, filled with water and mud. The wooden bridge over it was intact. There was a side gate on the north side, which was more hidden. There was also a shallow moat outside the gate, but no bridge."

Chen Wei's narration was clear and professional, with every detail concerning life and death.

"Based on our observations of the smoke from their cooking fires, the number of patrols, and the noise within the stronghold, the bandits occupying this place number around fifty, but no more than sixty. About forty of them are able-bodied men, while the rest are mostly elderly, weak, women, and children, who are likely the bandits' families."

"What's the defensive situation?" Chen Xing pressed for the core question.

"The defenses are lax!" Chen Wei's tone carried a hint of contempt for the enemy. "During the day, there are only four sentries, one at each of the north and south gates and one at each of the two corner towers on the wall, but they are lax in their duties and often gamble or doze off. At night, the number of sentries increases to eight, and there is a patrol team of about five people who patrol around the wall every half hour, but the route is fixed and the discipline is lax."

"What's the situation with the bandit leader?"

"The bandit leader was a burly man with a thick beard who wielded a ghost-head knife. He seemed to have a rather volatile temper. Yesterday afternoon, he publicly whipped one of his men over a trivial matter. He had three or four underlings who were also not benevolent. Their main weapons were waist knives, spears, and hunting bows. Their equipment was haphazard, with no standard military weapons or armor."

Chen Wei paused, then added a crucial piece of information: "While we were fetching water at dawn, we observed them from a distance and discovered that they had to go out through the north gate and down to the stream to get water. This is a clue. In addition, it seems that the stockpile in the stronghold is not very plentiful, and the patrolling bandits look pale and their morale is low."

Information has been compiled.

The bandits numbered over fifty, with more than forty being young and strong. They held a strategic advantage in the terrain, but their defenses were lax, their equipment was poor, their morale was low, and they had a weakness: their water supply route was exposed.

Chen Xing's mind raced. Combining his knowledge from "Basic Reconnaissance and Counter-Reconnaissance" with Chen Wei's report, a preliminary battle plan began to take shape in his mind. A direct assault was not impossible; with the fighting strength of the Wei infantry, they could take the city by forming ranks and charging forward, even at a certain cost. But that was a poor choice. What he wanted was to achieve the greatest results with the least amount of damage.

He needs to take advantage of the enemy's complacency, leverage his own strengths, and employ methods that are beyond the comprehension of this era.

Just then, as if sensing that he had grasped the key information and made up his mind, that cold and mechanical voice, like a pre-programmed sequence, rang out precisely in the depths of his mind:

[Ding! Detected that the host has obtained detailed intelligence on the potential stronghold 'Black Wind Ridge Trading Post'. Enemy and friendly situation analysis complete, combat intentions clear.]

[Main Mission 1: Establish a Foothold, Officially Launch!]

[Mission Requirements: Capture the 'Black Wind Ridge Trading Post' and perform basic repairs to its fortifications, making it capable of accommodating over one hundred people.]

[Task Time Limit: Fifteen calendar days (starting immediately)]

[Task Reward: Basic Supplies Pack (containing 50 high-quality iron farm tools, 100 jin of salt, 100 bolts of coarse cloth, and a quantity of various common vegetable seeds). 100 System Points.]

[Failure Penalty: Some system functions will be frozen (including in-game store redemption and task posting), and the host's physical enhancement effect will be reduced by 50% for thirty days.]

The mission deadline has been shortened from thirty days to fifteen! It seems the system dynamically adjusts based on his intelligence gathering speed and the state of his own forces. In addition to the previously mentioned supply pack, the reward includes an extra 100 system points, a timely and much-needed boost. However, the penalties for failure are much harsher: system functions are frozen and his body is weakened, meaning he will be virtually unable to move an inch in this chaotic world.

The pressure increased sharply, but Chen Xing's eyes ignited an even stronger fighting spirit.

There is no way out.

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the solemnly standing Chen Wei, and the others, including Zhao Tiezhu, who had somehow gathered around, their faces filled with tension and anticipation. His voice was clear and steady, carrying an undeniable decisiveness that echoed through the morning camp:

"Chen Wei, well done. Intelligence is of utmost importance."

"Order the entire army to eat immediately, pack their belongings, and break camp in half an hour. Destination: Black Wind Ridge Trading Post!"

"Zhao Tiezhu".

"exist!"

"Your men are responsible for taking care of the wounded and women and children, and keeping up with the main force. At the same time, keep an eye out for timber along the way that can be used to make siege equipment—thick logs and tough vines."

"promise!"

"Chen Wei, during the march, you are responsible for going ahead to scout, eliminate any possible enemy sentries, and ensure the marching route remains concealed."

"promise!"

Orders were issued methodically, and the entire camp sprang into operation like a tightly wound machine. The Wei soldiers silently inspected their equipment and ate their dry rations; the refugees, under Zhao Tiezhu's command, helped the wounded and packed their meager belongings. Although fear of the unknown battle still lingered in their eyes, there was even more of a resolute determination to be organized and to have a clear goal.

Chen Xing stood there, took one last look at the cold text of the system task in his mind, and then resolutely closed it.

He took a deep breath of the cold morning air, feeling his heart pounding faster in his chest because of the challenge.

The first step is to wipe out this gang of bandits entrenched in Black Wind Ridge!